Dangers of marijuana, organic or not.

This is a hotly disputed topic. Cannabis does not produce physical dependency, as does heroin, but some people who use it regularly can become psychologically dependent. Cannabis smoke is carcinogenic, and so can contribute to lung cancer, just like tobacco smoke. And regular smoking can exacerbate existing respiratory problems, such as asthma, bronchitis and wheezing.

A few studies have suggested that regular users may also have impaired immune systems, and there is little doubt that driving while stoned is dangerous - one study found that smoking cannabis doubles the risk of fatal car crashes. According to a study in The Lancet, large doses of THC produce confusion, amnesia, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety and agitation. "Such reactions are rare, occurring after unusually heavy cannabis use; in most cases they remit rapidly after abstinence from cannabis," it says.

The really important issue is whether cannabis can cause serious, long-term problems for a person's mental health. Earlier this year the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs concluded that there may be a link between cannabis use and the onset of psychotic illnesses, although there was insufficient evidence to state that frequent users were more likely to develop schizophrenia. Nevertheless, several studies have suggested that there may well be an association between smoking cannabis in adolescence and mental illness in later life - including schizophrenia.

Comments (60)

To the legality question: it is illegal under federal law to transport or sell. But the reason is the commerce clause. Even the sale if marihuana is only a fed crime if it involves interstate travel (not ON the interstate but between the states). Individual states have decriminalized possession and growth for recreational use. But their state laws are purely intra state, I.e. they have no affect on the federal law. Even if you purchased in Colorado and drove across state lines to smoke in a neighboring state you have just transported across state lines and violated federal law regardless of if the purchase itself was legal.

I normally don't post on these highly politicized topics, however, as a professional in the field, LADC in the state of MN, I just have to weigh in. I believe that they are changing marjuana in the DSM V to physically dependent. I have seen many of my patients abuse not just marijuana but other substances as well. Also, scientifically it has been proven that marijuana decreases brain function in adolescents. Imagine what it would do to a fetus?

Rowen you obviously have never been through weed withdrawals. You cant sleep for months, you puke, you cant eat for weeks, it was immeasurably more awful than opiate withdrawal (30-40mg perc pr day vs Smoking 10x per day out of a bong. Its very real. Im 5'8'' and was 115, went to 100 coming off pot. And the emotional hell i cannot begin to describe

Just to add more fuel to the fire, google the Portland, Oregon mom who gives her 7 year old daughter medical marijuana for cancer. The girl is a legal Oregon medical marijuana patient. The mother is a hippy-dippy alternative, anti-medicine type; only giving her daughter chemo because the state can take her away if she denies it. Discuss.

Have you ever known anyone with cancer??? You think that synthetic opiates and steroids are somehow healthier than organic weed? The little girl isn't smoking anything, she is being given cream to ease her pain and sickness from chemo. If my child had cancer I would do whatever I could to help her, especially if it was a better alternative to many of the drugs currently used, they absolutely ravage your body. My mom is a 3 time cancer survivor, my grandma 1 time, a friend's child died at 6, cancer is the worst thing that can happen to someone and a lot of times the medicine makes the experience that much worse. I am the furthest from "hippy-dippy" that they come, but you post was complete ignorance.

This brings up the other issue, the OP is talking about smoking something. Marajuana comes in many forms other than what is smoked. Of course smoking something is going to cause some problems but the other forms can make a huge difference in someone's life. My husband suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and his choices are edible or cream form of marajuana or bottle after bottle of vicodin and related pain meds. You really think the latter are better for a body???

I would like to add that I am not anti-medicine at all, but who am I to judge a mother who is losing her child? You can either watch her get sicker with the opiates or watch her smile again with cannabis creams.... really a question?

'there may well be an association between smoking cannabis in adolescence and mental illness in later life - including schizophrenia' after just saying...

'there was insufficient evidence to state that frequent users were more likely to develop schizophrenia'

'Such reactions are rare'

They honestly know nothing...Haha it's all propaganda put into a article and you all ate it all up without analying a bit of it. none of it is soild evidence that they use to manipulate the article to fit the audience...YOU

Truth is if you want to believe it's bad...you always will and there is no point in argueing each side.

I live in Oregon, this case made local headlines here. I've read the Facebook page mom runs for her daughter. Mom is only giving her daughter chemo because the state would take her away. She truly is anti-medicine. I don't berate her for giving her daughter the oil in pill form, which is what she does. I know a 7 year old doesn't smoke.

Me, personally, I'm a believer in modern medicine. I wouldn't try to cure mine or my daughters cancer with organic, raw, vegan, juicing diets or some of the other wacky suggestions on her Facebook page. Yes,do what's right for you and your family. Smoke if its your thing, don't if its not. I just think some of her views are a bit extreme, and if it wasn't for the state stepping in and making her give her daughter chemo, she would have a death sentence for sure.

I dont understand why people go back and forth about this. It's no different than the wine or a beer posts. Those that 'like to', feel like it needs to be validated and that they need to sway everyone over to thinking it's 'ok' or they feel some sort of guilt. If you feel like that, maybe you shouldnt be doing it. Not because its right or wrong but because you shouldnt do something youre at war with inside.

Who really cares? Do what youre going to do and be comfortable with it and if youre not, dont talk about it or rethink doing it to begin with. Dont try swaying people's opinions so that you sleep better at night. If you dig enough youre going to be able to post info and 'facts' both to support and defame ANY friggin thing in this world! It's definitely a waste of a good Search. Imagine all of the constipation and other redundant topics that could be curred/prevented with such efforts?

And if you say you dont feel guilt and still post attempting to talk people into believing something is ok, youre lying. Lets face it, you dont really give a shit if people are 'informed' you want validation. You want everyone Beside you and not to be feeling like anyone is looking Down on you.

That said, I need some damn coffee... why is it we all meet here every morning, and Not one of us offers anyone a coffee?! disgusting!